Best hotels in Bloomington
Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Bloomington
1014 Wylie Drive, IL, 61705
Close to I-69 and numerous places to eat, this well-located Marriott is pretty much equidistant between Bloomington’s two universities. Choose between standard guest rooms and larger suites, ideal for longer stays, while relaxation comes in the form of an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool and 24/7 fitness center.
Hyatt Place Bloomington/Normal
200 Broadway Avenue, Normal, IL, 61761
This hotel is situated in uptown Normal, next to the main campus of Illinois State University. Parking and breakfast are complimentary, and there’s a fitness center and laundry service at this pet-friendly stay.
Eastland Suites Hotel
1801 Eastland Drive, IL, 61704
Located near Downtown Bloomington and the airport, the Eastland is very much a business hotel. The conference center makes it a popular choice for corporate travelers, while the suites come complete with kitchens, patios or balconies.
Best restaurants in Bloomington
Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
3010 E Empire Street, IL, 61704
This forward-thinking Italian spot is a local favorite. Ever-changing specials and a gluten-free menu help broaden its appeal. Indulge yourself with classic pasta dishes such as lobster fettucine, braised short rib ravioli or a rich sea scallop risotto.
DESTIHL Restaurant & Brew Works
318 S Towanda Avenue, Normal, IL, 61761
Normal’s prominent independent craft brewery also specializes in American-inspired innovative pub food. There’s both indoor and patio dining available, where you can sample mahi-mahi tacos and four cheese bacon Mac. Stacked sandwiches include a corned-beef reuben, while entrees range from espresso-rubbed ribeye steak to Thai-fried chicken.
Thai House of Bloomington
805 Morrissey Drive, IL, 61701
Timeless and fragrant red and green curries are delivered with style at the Thai House of Bloomington. But the real joy is in exploring the less familiar corners of the menu like the Rama chicken with its brown peanut sauce, for example, or the crab Rangoon starter.
Best attractions in Bloomington
Children’s Discovery Museum
101 E Beaufort Street, Normal, IL, 61761
Visiting Bloomington with family? Head straight to the Children’s Discovery Museum, where little ones can enjoy learning through play. The onus is very much on interactive learning here, with a collection of hands-on exhibits and activities from art and health to science and farming.
David Davis Mansion
1000 Monroe Drive, IL, 61701
This restored Italianate Victorian mansion tells a rich American story of a lawyer’s rise to the Supreme Court and his friendship with Abraham Lincoln. It’s a striking and handsome building, and National Historic Landmark, that you can explore with a guided tour.
Miller Park Zoo
1020 S Morris Avenue, IL, 61701
Once a popular stop on Route 66, this zoo inside Miller Park opened at the very end of the 19th century. It’s much modernized since, adding a range of exhibits and a diverse selection of animals. You’ll see the rare Galapagos tortoise, reindeers, Sumatran tigers, leopards and lemurs.